Fix printer problems

Introduction

This tutorial is designed to help you identify and fix common printer problems in Windows. Printing problems can be caused by cables that aren't connected properly, problems with wireless adapters or settings, damaged or incompatible printer drivers, or missing updates. This tutorial doesn't cover printing problems related to specific apps.

How to use this tutorial

For best results, complete each step in order and try printing before moving to the next step.

Step 1

Check hardware

Many printing problems are caused by hardware that isn't set up quite right. Here are ideas to solve common problems with printer hardware.

Check the power

Make sure that the printer's electrical cord is plugged into an electrical outlet and that the power switch is turned on. If you're printing to a shared printer or a printer on a network, make sure that all necessary computers and routers are turned on too. If your printer or other equipment is plugged in to a surge protector or a backup power supply, make sure that hardware is plugged in and turned on as well.

Check the cables (wired printers)

Make sure that the printer cable is properly connected from the printer to your PC.

A typical USB cable and port

Check the wireless connection (wireless printers)

Make sure the printer’s wireless option is turned on and available. Many printers have a button that displays a blue wireless icon when wireless is available. To learn where this button is located on your printer and to find instructions about how to turn it on, see the manual that came with the printer.

Run the printer’s wireless connectivity test. Many printers have a menu option to test the printer’s wireless connectivity. Read the instructions that came with the printer or check the printer manufacturer’s website for instructions about how to do this.

Step 2

Use a troubleshooter

A troubleshooter is an automated tool that can find and automatically fix some problems with your PC.
The printing troubleshooter can fix problems with installing and connecting to a printer.

Step 3

Update drivers

Most printers require driver software to work properly. If you recently upgraded from one version of Windows to another, it's possible that the current printer driver is for the previous version of Windows. If you've had recent power outages, viruses, or other computer problems, it's possible that the drivers have become damaged. Downloading and installing the latest driver for your printer can resolve these types of problems.

Note

Windows RT 8.1 is only compatible with printers that are designed to work with Windows RT 8.1. These printers display a Designed for Windows RT 8.1 logo.

Here are three ways to find and install a driver:

Use Windows Update
‍. Windows Update might have an updated version of your printer driver.

‌Open Windows Update in Control Panel by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or, if you're using a mouse, pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer up, and then clicking Search), entering
Windows Update
in the search box, and then tapping or clicking
Windows Update settings
.

Tap or click Check now.

If there are any available updates, tap or click the links to see more info about each update. Windows Update tells you if an update is important, recommended, or optional. Each type of update might include drivers.

On the Select the updates you want to install page, look for updates for your printer, select the check box for the driver that you want to install, and then tap or click OK.

There might not be any available driver updates.

On the
Windows Update
page, tap or click Install updates. You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice.

Note

Some updates require you to restart your PC.

Install software from the printer manufacturer‍. If your printer came with a disc, that disc might contain software that installs a driver for the printer.

Download and install the driver yourself
‍. You can search for a driver on the manufacturer's website. Try this if Windows Update can't find a driver for your printer, and the printer didn't come with software that installs a driver.

If Windows can't find a driver for your printer, and the printer didn't come with driver software, you can look for a driver on the manufacturer's website. Driver updates are often available in the support section of such websites. Locate and download the latest driver for your printer.

Follow the driver installation instructions on the website. Most drivers are self-installing—after you download them, you usually double-tap or double-click the file to begin the installation, and then the driver installs itself on your PC.

Some printers have drivers that aren't self-installing. If you download a driver that isn't self-installing, follow these steps. You must be signed in as an administrator.

Open Device Manager by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer up, and then clicking Search), entering Device Manager in the search box, and then tapping or clicking Device Manager. You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice.

In the list of hardware categories, find the device that you want to update, and then double-tap or double-click the device name.

Tap or click the Driver tab, tap or click Update Driver, and then follow the instructions. You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice.

Notes

In Windows RT 8.1, you can update drivers only through Windows Update. Windows Update also automatically installs important and recommended updates as they become available, but you can check for other optional updates.

For information about printers that are compatible with Windows 8.1, visit the Compatibility Center.

Introduction

This tutorial is designed to help you identify and fix common printer problems in Windows. Printing problems can be caused by cables that aren't connected properly, problems with wireless adapters or settings, damaged or incompatible printer drivers, or missing updates. This tutorial doesn't cover printing problems related to specific apps.

How to use this tutorial

For best results, complete each step in order and try printing before moving to the next step.

Step 1

Check hardware

Many printing problems are caused by hardware that isn't set up quite right. Here are ideas to solve common problems with printer hardware.

Check the power

Make sure that the printer's electrical cord is plugged into an electrical outlet and that the power switch is turned on. If you're printing to a shared printer or a printer on a network, make sure that all necessary computers and routers are turned on too. If your printer or other equipment is plugged in to a surge protector or a backup power supply, make sure that hardware is plugged in and turned on as well.

Check the cables (wired printers)

Make sure that the printer cable is properly connected from the printer to your PC.

A typical USB cable and port

Check the wireless connection (wireless printers)

Make sure the printer’s wireless option is turned on and available. Many printers have a button that displays a blue wireless icon when wireless is available. To learn where this button is located on your printer and to find instructions about how to turn it on, see the manual that came with the printer.

Run the printer’s wireless connectivity test. Many printers have a menu option to test the printer’s wireless connectivity. Read the instructions that came with the printer or check the printer manufacturer’s website for instructions about how to do this.

Step 2

Use a troubleshooter

A troubleshooter is an automated tool that can find and automatically fix some problems with your PC.
The printing troubleshooter can fix problems with installing and connecting to a printer.

Step 3

Update drivers

Most printers require driver software to work properly. Outdated, incompatible, or damaged printer drivers can disrupt communication between the computer and the printer. If you recently upgraded to Windows 7, it's possible that the current printer driver is for the previous version of Windows. If you've had recent power outages, viruses, or other computer problems, it's possible that the drivers have become damaged. Downloading and installing the latest driver for your printer can resolve these types of problems.

Here are three ways to find and install a driver:

Use Windows Update
. You might need to set Windows Update to automatically download and install recommended updates.

Install software from the printer manufacturer. For example, if your printer came with a disc, that disc might contain software that installs a driver for the printer.

Download and install the driver yourself. You can search for a driver on the manufacturer's website. Try this if Windows Update can't find a driver for your printer, and the printer didn't come with software that installs a driver.

For more information about updating your printer driver, follow the steps below.
For information about printers that are compatible with Windows 7, visit the Windows 7 Compatibility Center.

Open Windows Update by clicking the Start button . In the search box, type Update, and then, in the list of results, click Windows Update
.

In the left pane, click Check for updates.

If there are any available updates, click the links to see more information about each update. Windows Update tells you if an update is important, recommended, or optional. Each type of update might include drivers. For more information, see Understanding Windows automatic updating.

On the Select the updates you want to install page, look for updates for your printer, select the check box for the driver that you want to install, and then click OK.

There might not be any available driver updates.

On the Windows Update
page, click Install updates. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

Windows Update will tell you if the updates were successfully installed.

Note

If Windows can't find a driver for your printer, and the printer didn't come with driver software, you can look for a driver on the printer manufacturer's website. Driver updates are often available in the support section of such websites.

To locate the driver, find the manufacturer and model name or number of your printer, and then visit the Hardware and software vendor contact information website. Once you find your printer manufacturer, go to its website and locate and download the latest driver for your printer.

If you find an updated driver, follow the installation instructions on the website. Most drivers are self-installing—after you download them, you usually double-click the file to begin the installation, and then the driver installs itself on your computer.

Some printers have drivers that you need to install yourself. If you download a driver that isn't self-installing, follow the steps below.

You must be logged on as an administrator to perform these steps.

Open Device Manager by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Security, and then, under System, clicking Device Manager. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
‌

In the list of hardware categories, find the printer that you want to update, and then double-click the printer name.

Click the Driver tab, click Update Driver, and then follow the instructions. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

Introduction

This tutorial is designed to help you identify and fix common printer problems in Windows. Printing problems can be caused by cables that aren't connected properly, problems with wireless adapters or settings, damaged or incompatible printer drivers, or missing updates. This tutorial doesn't cover printing problems related to specific apps.

How to use this tutorial

For best results, complete each step in order and try printing before moving to the next step.

Step 1

Check hardware

Many printing problems are caused by hardware that isn't set up quite right. Here are ideas to solve common problems with printer hardware.

Check the power

Make sure that the printer's electrical cord is plugged into an electrical outlet and that the power switch is turned on. If you're printing to a shared printer or a printer on a network, make sure that all necessary computers and routers are turned on too. If your printer or other equipment is plugged in to a surge protector or a backup power supply, make sure that hardware is plugged in and turned on as well.

Check the cables (wired printers)

Make sure that the printer cable is properly connected from the printer to your PC.

A typical USB cable and port

Check the wireless connection (wireless printers)

Make sure the printer’s wireless option is turned on and available. Many printers have a button that displays a blue wireless icon when wireless is available. To learn where this button is located on your printer and to find instructions about how to turn it on, see the manual that came with the printer.

Run the printer’s wireless connectivity test. Many printers have a menu option to test the printer’s wireless connectivity. Read the instructions that came with the printer or check the printer manufacturer’s website for instructions about how to do this.

Step 2

Use a troubleshooter

A troubleshooter is an automated tool that can find and automatically fix some problems with your PC.
The printing troubleshooter can fix problems with installing and connecting to a printer.

Step 3

Update drivers

Most printers require driver software to work properly. Outdated, incompatible, or damaged printer drivers can disrupt communication between the computer and the printer. If you recently upgraded from one version of Windows to another, it's possible that the current printer driver is for the previous version of Windows. If you've had recent power outages, viruses, or other computer problems, it's possible that the drivers have become damaged. Downloading and installing the latest driver for your printer can resolve these types of problems.

Here are three ways to find and install a driver:

Use Windows Update
. You might need to set Windows Update to automatically download and install recommended updates.

Install software from the printer manufacturer. For example, if your printer came with a disc, that disc might contain software that installs a driver for the printer.

Download and install the driver yourself. You can search for a driver on the manufacturer's website. Try this if Windows Update can't find a driver for your printer, and the printer didn't come with software that installs a driver.

For more information about updating your printer driver, follow the steps below.

Open Windows Update by clicking the Start button , clicking All Programs, and then clicking
Windows Update
.‌ If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

In the left pane, click Check for updates.

To see if updated drivers are available, click View available updates.
Windows Update will list any updated drivers that are available for devices installed in your computer.

If updates are available, click the driver that you want to install, and then click Install. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

Note

If Windows can't find a driver for your printer, and the printer didn't come with driver software, you can look for a driver on the printer manufacturer's website. Driver updates are often available in the support section of such websites.

To locate the driver, find the manufacturer and model name or number of your printer, and then visit the Hardware and software vendor contact information website. Once you find your printer manufacturer, go to its website and locate and download the latest driver for your printer.

If you find an updated driver, follow the installation instructions on the website. Most drivers are self-installing—after you download them, you usually just double-click the file to begin the installation, and then the driver installs itself on your computer.

Some printers have drivers that you need to install yourself. If you download a driver that isn't self-installing, follow the steps below.

You must be logged on as an administrator to perform these steps.

Open Device Manager by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking Device Manager.‌ If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

In Device Manager, locate the printer you want to update, and then double-click the printer name.

Click the Driver tab, and then click Update Driver and follow the instructions.

Introduction

This tutorial is designed to help you identify and fix common printer problems in Windows. Printing problems can be caused by cables that aren't connected properly, problems with wireless adapters or settings, damaged or incompatible printer drivers, or missing updates. This tutorial doesn't cover printing problems related to specific apps.

How to use this tutorial

For best results, complete each step in order and try printing before moving to the next step.

Step 1

Check hardware

Many printing problems are caused by hardware that isn't set up quite right. Here are ideas to solve common problems with printer hardware.

Check the power

Make sure that the printer's electrical cord is plugged into an electrical outlet and that the power switch is turned on. If you're printing to a shared printer or a printer on a network, make sure that all necessary computers and routers are turned on too. If your printer or other equipment is plugged in to a surge protector or a backup power supply, make sure that hardware is plugged in and turned on as well.

Check the cables (wired printers)

Make sure that the printer cable is properly connected from the printer to your PC.

A typical USB cable and port

Check the wireless connection (wireless printers)

Make sure the printer’s wireless option is turned on and available. Many printers have a button that displays a blue wireless icon when wireless is available. To learn where this button is located on your printer and to find instructions about how to turn it on, see the manual that came with the printer.

Run the printer’s wireless connectivity test. Many printers have a menu option to test the printer’s wireless connectivity. Read the instructions that came with the printer or check the printer manufacturer’s website for instructions about how to do this.

Step 2

Use a troubleshooter

A troubleshooter is an automated tool that can find and automatically fix some problems with your PC.
The printing troubleshooter can fix problems with installing and connecting to a printer.

Step 3

Update drivers

Most printers require driver software to work properly. Outdated, incompatible, or damaged printer drivers can disrupt communication between the computer and the printer. If you recently upgraded from one version of Windows to another, it's possible that the current printer driver is for the previous version of Windows. If you've had recent power outages, viruses, or other computer problems, it's possible that the drivers have become damaged. Downloading and installing the latest driver for your printer can resolve these types of problems.

Here are three ways to find and install a driver:

Use Windows Update
. You might need to set Windows Update to automatically download and install recommended updates.

Install software from the printer manufacturer. For example, if your printer came with a disc, that disc might contain software that installs a driver for the printer.

Download and install the driver yourself. You can search for a driver on the manufacturer's website. Try this if Windows Update can't find a driver for your printer, and the printer didn't come with software that installs a driver.

For more information about updating your printer driver, follow the steps below.

Note

If Windows can't find a driver for your printer, and the printer didn't come with driver software, you can look for a driver on the printer manufacturer's website. Driver updates are often available in the support section of such websites.

To locate the driver, find the manufacturer and model name or number of your printer, and then visit the Hardware and software vendor contact information website. Once you find your printer manufacturer, go to its website and locate and download the latest driver for your printer.

If you find an updated driver, follow the installation instructions on the website. Most drivers are self-installing—after you download them, you usually just double-click the file to begin the installation, and then the driver installs itself on your computer.

Some printers have drivers that you need to install yourself. If you download a driver that isn't self-installing, follow the steps below.

You must be logged on as an administrator to perform these steps.

Click Start, and then click Printers and Faxes.

Right-click the printer that you want to update, and then click Properties.

Click the Advanced tab, and then click New Driver.

Click Next, and then do one of the following:

Click the appropriate printer manufacturer and printer model if the driver appears in the list.

Click Have Disk if the printer driver isn't included in the list, or if you've received a new or updated driver on a disc from the printer manufacturer. Type the path where the driver is located, or click Browse to search for the driver, and then click OK.

Click Next, and then follow the instructions to finish installing the printer driver.